Gaming method and apparatus for portioning a play area

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for use in gaming activities such as slot machine. A play area comprising a plurality of elements is presented. A number of the elements are framing elements. The framing elements define a subportion. Payouts are issued for elements and element combinations within the subportion. The payouts may be administered according to a pay table. The framing elements can define a subportion of the play area by forming a subportion boundary.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of Provisional Application No.60/877,755, filed on Dec. 29, 2006, to which priority is claimedpursuant to 35 U.S.C. §119(e), and which is hereby incorporated hereinby reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates in general to gaming systems and processes, andmore particularly to a gaming method and apparatus for portioning a playarea.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Gaming devices such as slot machines have entertained the public forover a century. While the fundamental concept behind slot games hasremained relatively intact, the manners of computing, displaying, andparticipating in modern day slot games have changed dramatically. Oneforce driving these changes is technological advancement, such as theadvent of computers and video capabilities. Another driving force ishuman nature, as the participants of such gaming devices demandcontinual excitement and stimulation. It is therefore important in thegaming industry that gaming innovations continue to be rolled out to theparticipating public.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To overcome limitations in the prior art described above, and toovercome other limitations that will become apparent upon reading andunderstanding the present specification, the present invention disclosesan apparatus and method for portioning a gaming play area.

One method includes marking a plurality of elements of a grid, at leasttwo of the elements being marked as framing elements. The embodimentfurther includes defining one or more subportions of the grid using theframing elements. The embodiment further includes identifying winningcombinations of marked elements located within the one or moresubportions.

One embodiment includes a gaming apparatus hosting a gaming activity.The gaming apparatus can include a display device configured to presenta grid having a plurality of elements. The gaming apparatus can furtherinclude a random number generator configured to randomly select amarking for presentation for each of a plurality of elements of the gridfrom a plurality of marking types, the plurality of marking typesincluding a framing marking type. The gaming apparatus can furtherinclude a processor configured to identify one or more subportions ofthe grid and combinations of element markings within the one or moresubportions, wherein each subportion is defined by at least two elementseach marked with the framing marking type marking. marking a pluralityof elements of a display grid, each of the plurality of elements markedwith a framing line marking;

Another method includes defining one or more subportions within thedisplay grid, each of the one or more subportions being defined by arespective continuous series of adjacent elements marked with framingline markings such that the framing line markings form a continuouscircuit of aligned framing line markings around the subportion andidentifying winning combinations of marked elements located within eachof the one or more subportions.

Another embodiment includes a gaming apparatus hosting a gamingactivity. The gaming apparatus can include a display device configuredto present a grid having a plurality of elements. The gaming apparatuscan further include a random number generator configured to randomlyselect a framing line marking for presentation for each of a pluralityof elements of the grid from a plurality of different framing linemarking configurations. The gaming apparatus can further include aprocessor configured to identify one or more subportions of the grid andwinning combinations of element markings within the one or moresubportions, wherein each subportion is defined by framing line markingsof the plurality of elements forming a continuous circuit of alignedframing line markings around the subportion.

These and various other advantages and features of novelty whichcharacterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in theclaims annexed hereto and form a part hereof. However, for a betterunderstanding of the invention, its advantages, and the objects obtainedby its use, reference should be made to the drawings which form afurther part hereof, and to accompanying descriptive matter, in whichthere are illustrated and described specific examples of an apparatus inaccordance with the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is described in connection with the embodimentsillustrated in the following diagrams.

FIGS. 1A-B illustrate an embodiment of a gaming activity for portioninga play area in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates another embodiment of a gaming activity forportioning a play area in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a method forportioning a gaming play area in accordance with the invention;

FIGS. 4-11 illustrate additional embodiments of gaming activities forportioning a play area in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 12 is another flow diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a methodfor portioning a gaming play area in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 13 is an embodiment of a casino-style gaming device in which theprinciples of the present invention may be applied; and

FIG. 14 illustrates a representative computing system capable ofcarrying out operations in accordance with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

In the following description of the invention, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is shown byway of illustration the specific embodiment in which the invention maybe practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may beutilized, as structural and operational changes may be made withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention.

Generally, the present invention is directed to a method and apparatusfor portioning a play area.

FIGS. 1A-B illustrates an embodiment of the invention for portioning agaming play area. The play area is a grid 100 made up of a plurality ofelements, such as elements 101, 102 and 103. All of the elements of thegrid 100 are illustrated as squares, but in various other embodiments ofthe invention, the elements could be other shapes, including but notlimited to circles, ovals, triangles, pentagons, hexagons, octagons, andthe like. Each element of the grid 100 is illustrated as including foursides and four corners.

Elements 102 and 103 have been marked with television symbols 104 and105, respectively. The marking of particular elements could be donerandomly, as discussed herein, or could be done according to a pre-madeplan. Elements 102 and 103 represent framing elements, because in thisparticular embodiment, elements marked with television symbols areframing elements.

Framing elements, as used herein, refer to elements that defineboundaries for a subportion of a play area. Framing elements can bewithin the subportion, outside of the subportion, and/or on the boundarybetween the subportion and the rest of the play area. Framing elementscan function not only as elements that define boundaries for asubportion of the play area, but also can function as any other elementsas described herein can function. For example, a framing element can bemarked and incorporated into a contiguous series of correspondingelements, for which a payout is issued.

The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1A shows framing elements 102 and 103that are identical to the other elements of the grid 100, aside frombeing marked with a framing symbol. However, various embodiments of theinvention are not so limited and framing pieces can include a singlepoint, line, boundary or peripheral area on, around, or in the play area100.

FIG. 1B illustrates the element grid 100 of FIG. 1A in a second stage ofgame play. FIG. 1B includes element grid 110 comprised of elements, suchas framing elements 112 and 113. Framing elements 112 and 113 have beenmarked to indicate that they are framing elements, and include the samemarkings as the equivalent framing elements 102 and 103 from elementgrid 100 of FIG. 1A. A subportion boundary 115 has been formed, based onthe locations of the framing elements 112 and 113 within the elementgrid 110. In this particular embodiment, the subportion boundary 115 isformed such that framing elements 112 and 113 are within oppositecorners of the subportion boundary 115. As such, in this particularembodiment, the subportion of the element grid 110 is defined by forminga boundary box with the two framing elements 112 and 113 within theboundary box, each located at an opposite corner of the boundary box. Inthis way, the framing elements 112 and 113 anchor the subportion of theelement grid 110.

Although a rectangular subportion is illustrated in FIG. 1B, variousother shapes of subportions are contemplated within the scope of theinvention. For example, subportions could take the shape of circles,ovals, squares, triangles, pentagons, hexagons, and the like. Threedimensional shapes are also contemplated within the scope of theinvention for three dimensional grids, and could include spheres, cubes,rectangular solids, and the like.

In some embodiments of the invention, framing elements are not locatedadjacent to the corners of the subportion boundaries. In someembodiments of the invention, framing elements are not located adjacentto an edge of the subportion. In such embodiments, various other framingtechniques are used. For example, in some embodiments of the invention,a subportion is defined such that a framing element is located at, orproximate to, the center of the subportion. In some embodiments of theinvention, a single framing element can be used to define a subportion.In some embodiments of the invention, multiple framing elements can beused to define a subportion, such as two, three, four, five or moreframing elements. In various embodiments of the invention, defining thesubportion also defines the subportion boundary. In various embodimentsof the invention, defining the subportion boundary defines thesubportion.

Not all elements of the element grid 110 are located within thesubportion boundary 115. For example, element 116 is not located withinthe subportion boundary 115. Element 116 has not been marked because,according to the rules of the particular embodiment illustrated in FIGS.1A-B, only elements located within the subportion boundary 115 aremarked. All elements within the subportion boundary 115 have beenmarked. For example, element 117 was marked with a rain cloud symbol andelements 112 and 113 remain as marked by television symbols.

Marking includes distinguishing at least one element from at least oneother element. There are many ways in which one element can bedistinguished from another element, and therefore there are manydifferent ways to mark an element. For example, an element could bemarked simply by it being created or located in a play area. Marking canalso include placing and/or representing a symbol, one or more colors,flag, character, image, graphic, number, letter, shape, feature, ordesign on an element.

Marking is not limited to elements. Various types of play areacomponents of the present invention can also be marked. For example,boundaries, grid spaces, voids, sides, corners and the like can also bemarked. Moreover, a particular part of an element can be marked, such asa side or a corner of an element.

One element can be distinguished from another element by locating theelements at different heights, rotating one or both of the elements,flipping one or both of the elements, moving one or both of theelements, resizing one of both of the elements, deforming one or both ofthe elements, modifying one or both of the elements and/or combining oneor both of the elements with at least one other element. Distinguishingof elements can be done to physical elements, such as element pieces ofa board or on a reel strip. Distinguishing of elements can also berepresented on a display screen.

In various embodiments of the invention, a particular type of markingfrom the plurality of different possible markings can be repeatedly usedto mark populating elements. In other embodiments, a particular type ofmarking from the plurality of different possible markings can only beused to mark populating elements a certain number of times. For example,a particular grid may only have four sun symbols with which to markelements of the grid.

Elements 118-121, among others, have been marked because they are eachlocated within the subportion boundary 115. Each of elements 118-121have been marked with a lightning symbol. Because each of elements118-121 have been marked with a lightening symbol, all of these elementscorrespond to one another.

According to the rules of the particular embodiment illustrated in FIGS.1A-B, element 118 is adjacent to element 119, element 119 is adjacent toelement 120, and element 120 is adjacent to element 121. As such,elements 118-121 form a series of corresponding adjacent elements.

There are many different ways in which elements of the variousembodiments of the invention can be adjacent to one another. Forexample, element 118 shares a corner with element 119. One element canbe adjacent to multiple other elements. For example, element 120 isadjacent to element 119 because they both share a common corner.Furthermore, element 120 is adjacent to element 119 because they share acommon corner.

According to various embodiments of the invention, elements in contactwith and/or within close proximity to one another can be considered tobe adjacent. Elements can be in contact with one another by sharingwalls, lines, points, segments, portions and/or features. Elements canalso be in contact by overlapping each other. Other types of adjacencymay be provided as well. For example, in one embodiment, only thosesymbols that are adjacent in a horizontal or vertical fashion will bedeemed “adjacent” for purposes of providing a payout. Alternatively,only symbols that are horizontal, or that are vertical, or that arediagonal, may be deemed adjacent. Symbols may also be deemed adjacentalong opposite edges of the play area, as if the edges were wrappedaround to intersect with one another. Three dimensional display gridsmay also be used in accordance with the invention, such that elementssharing a wall, corner or segment may be considered to be adjacent.

The series of corresponding adjacent elements 118-121 can be dynamicallyidentified. Dynamic identification includes locating element series orsegments that can take any number of forms. As opposed to classic threereel strip slot matching, where a series of winning symbols could onlybe formed along one row, dynamic identification allows segments to beformed in many other ways, including series and segments that repeatedlychange direction along their length.

A payout can be issued in various embodiments of the invention for avariety of different occurrences. For example, in the embodimentillustrated in FIGS. 1A-B, marked elements 118-121 form a series ofcorresponding adjacent elements, and a payout can be issued to the gameplayer according to a pay table for the occurrence of the series withinthe subportion boundary 115.

Payouts can also be calculated according to scatter pay methods. Ascatter pay method identifies a number of corresponding elements in aparticular area and issues a payout. In various embodiments of theinvention, the number of corresponding elements must meet a threshold inorder to trigger a payout. For example, the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 1B may issue a scatter pay payout for the appearance of three sunsymbols within the subportion boundary 115 in addition to the payout forthe series of corresponding marked elements 118-121. Various embodimentsof the invention may only identify and issue scatter pay type payouts oradjacent type payouts.

While elements 118-121 correspond to one another because each has beenmarked with a lighting symbol marking, there are various other ways inwhich elements can correspond to one another, according to variousembodiments of the inventions. For example, elements could correspond toone another not by having the same mark, but rather by just having amark at all. But in some embodiments of the invention, elements willonly correspond if they have the same letter, number, symbol, image,color, or other similar marking. In some embodiments of the invention,elements will correspond if they are marked with markings selected froma particular group, and the elements need not all have identicalmarkings to correspond to one another. For example, elements of acorresponding series of marked elements may correspond because each ismarked with an image of a dog, even though all image markings on theelements are of a different breed of dog.

In some embodiments of the invention, elements correspond to one anotherif their markings form a progressive series. In such embodiments,adjacent elements might only correspond if they are marked withconsecutive numbering, such as if elements 118, 119, 120, and 121 wereeach marked 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. In other embodiments, lettermarked elements of a segment may only correspond if the adjacentelements spell a word. However, the present invention is not so limited.Other types of element correspondence are contemplated and should berealized by one or ordinary skill in the art upon reading thisdisclosure. For example, marked elements may correspond because,according to a pay table, the combination of the elements triggers apayout.

FIG. 2 illustrates another embodiment of a gaming activity forportioning a play area in accordance with the invention. FIG. 2 includesan element array 200 composed of a plurality of elements, such asframing elements 201 and 202. All of the elements of element array 200have been marked. The marking of the elements can be done such that themarking for each element is randomly selected from a plurality ofpossible markings. Framing elements 201 and 202 are each marked withtelevision marking symbols. According to the embodiment of FIG. 2, anelement that is marked with a television symbol becomes a framingelement.

According to the rules of the particular embodiment illustrated in FIG.2, once all of the elements of the element array 200 have been marked, asubportion of the element array 200 is defined. The subportion isdefined by the relative positions of the framing elements 201 and 202,the subportion being circumscribed by subportion boundary 207. In theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the framing elements 201 and 202 arenot inside of the subportion boundary 207. In the embodiment illustratedin FIG. 2, the subportion boundary 207 is formed such that framingelements 201 and 202 are adjacent to opposite corners 204 and 205 of thesubportion boundary 207. As such, in this particular embodiment, thesubportion of the element array 200 is defined by forming a boundary boxwith the two framing elements 201 and 202 outside the boundary box, eachframing element having a corner adjacent to a corner of the boundarybox, wherein the two corners of the boundary box that are adjacent tothe framing elements 201 and 202 are also opposite each other. In thisway, the framing elements 201 and 202 anchor the subportion of theelement array 200.

According to the embodiment of FIG. 2, elements of the subportioncircumscribed by the subportion boundary 207 can be used to form scatterpays, element series, winning elements, and/or any other type of elementcombinations to trigger payouts.

The framing elements 201 and 202 of FIG. 2 are not located within thesubportion boundary 207. As such, all of the elements of the subportioncan be used to form element combinations that trigger payouts. However,as the particular embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 demonstrates, notincluding the framing elements within the subportion can reduce the sizeof the subportion, thereby reducing the number of markings within thesubportion that can form winning combinations.

In various embodiments of the invention, a player can be given thechoice on how to form boxes, thus providing a greater strategy aspect ofthe game as the player must determine whether he or she prefers a largersubportion with framing elements inside the subportion or a smallersubportion that is not diluted by the framing elements within thesubportion.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a method forportioning a gaming play area in accordance with the invention. Themethod of FIG. 3 includes the step of marking 310 elements of a playarea, including marking at least two elements as framing elements.

The method of FIG. 3 further includes the step of defining 320 asubportion of the play area framed by the at least two framing elements.There are many ways in which a subportion of a play area can be definedby framing elements, as discussed herein. For example, the subportionboundary could be defined such that one or all of the framing elementsare within the subportion. Moreover, the subportion boundary could bedefined such that one or all of the framing elements are within thesubportion boundary, each located at an opposite inside corner of thesubportion boundary. The subportion could be defined such that one orall of the framing elements are located outside of the subportionboundary. Moreover, the subportion could be defined such that one or allof the framing elements are adjacent to a corresponding number ofcorners of the subportion boundary. Subportions can also be defined byhaving a framing element in a particular column or row, such that anyelement in the column and/or row of the framing element is a part of thesubportion.

A subportion can be defined automatically, such as by use ofinstructions stored in memory and executed by a processor. A subportioncould also be defined manually by a user. For example, a game player maybe given the opportunity to position the subportion boundaries using theframing elements.

The method of FIG. 3 further includes the step of issuing 330 a payoutbased on the marked elements within the subportion. Payouts can be basedon the identification of combinations of elements that correspond towins of a pay table. For example, a scatter pay embodiment of theinvention may issue a payout because three “Queen” elements wereidentified in the subportion area defined in step 320. Other types ofcombinations, as discussed herein or known in the art, can also beidentified in the subportion and used to calculate and trigger payouts.

In various embodiments of the invention, payouts can also be calculatedand issued for combinations found outside or partially within thesubportion. In such embodiments, certain bonuses may be given forcombinations within the subportion, such as a multiplier bonus, or othertypes of bonuses either discussed herein or known in the art.

In various embodiments of the invention, the elements marked as framingelements may be marked before other elements are marked, such that onlythe elements of the subportion are marked. In some embodiments of theinvention, all elements of the play area are marked before thesubportion is defined, such that elements that will be outside of thesubportion once the subportion is defined are marked. In variousembodiments of the invention, when all elements of the play area aremarked before the subportion is defined, only those elements within thesubportion are used to form winning combinations that trigger payouts.However, the invention is not so limited. For example, in someembodiments of the invention, when all elements of the play are markedbefore the subportion is defined, a payout may be issued for all elementcombinations within the play area that are capable of triggering apayout, however those element combinations within the subportion alsotrigger a bonus, such as a multiplier.

In some embodiments, different rules can be used for identifyingcombinations of elements corresponding to a win and/or payout. Forexample, corresponding elements outside of a subportion may need to belocated adjacently to trigger a payout, while corresponding elementsinside of the subportion need not be adjacent to trigger a payout (e.g.,are evaluated according to scatter pay rules). As such, the elementsinside of a subportion are evaluated according to looser payout rulesthen elements outside of the subportion. In some embodiments, theopposite could be the case, where elements outside of a subportion areevaluated according to looser payout rules than elements inside of asubportion.

The play areas of the current invention can be presented in variousways. Play areas can include display grids. Various types of displaygrids are contemplated in the scope of the invention, including verticaland horizontal lines creating spaces of rectangles and/or squares. Adisplay grid could also be comprised of triangles, hexagons, ovals,circles and other shapes.

A display grid can be presented in various ways. For example, a displaygrid could be comprised of several reel strips with various markings onthe periphery of the reel strips. Several reel strips with a common axisplaced together can form a grid, with each reel strip representing avertical column and adjacent markings on the aligned reels representinga horizontal row. A display grid could also be printed on a surface,such as a piece of paper or board. A grid could also be represented byprojected light.

A display grid can also be presented by use of video means, such as witha video slot machine. In a video slot machine, the reel strips are notrepresented by physical material, but rather include electronicallystored symbol patterns, i.e., a virtual reel strip. By using virtualreel strips for each of the display subsegments, there is no physicalcorrelation between display subsegments as there are with mechanicalreel strips. For example, in the context of mechanical reel strips,three symbols presented in a column across three paylines are physicallyrestricted to that particular order, since the reel strip is presentedacross three rows. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, there isno such relationship and each subpart of the grid can display a markingindependent of any other subpart. Furthermore, there are otheradvantages by using video representation, including faster game play,greater flexibility in game types and variations, and representation ofthings that would otherwise be physically complicated or impossible.

FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of a gaming activity forportioning a play area in accordance with the invention. FIG. 4 includesa display grid 400 composed of elements, such as elements 401, 402 and403. The elements of the display grid 400 have been marked, each elementwith a symbol. The display grid 400 includes elements marked as framingelements 401, 402, and 403. In various embodiments of the invention, apredetermined number of framing elements may be used for each displaygrid, such as one, two, three, or any other number. In variousembodiments of the invention, a display grid may not be populated with apredetermined number of framing elements, but rather randomly populatedwith elements such that there is a chance that the display grid willinclude a certain number of framing elements in a particular game, suchas two, but that number will not be reached on every game. In variousembodiments of the invention, a symbol is randomly selected for markingfor each particular element of the play area, and one of those symbolsis a symbol which signifies an element as a framing element, such thatfor each element there is a chance that that element might be marked asa framing element. Therefore, the invention includes embodiments wherethe number of framing elements used in each game is not determined untilthe elements of the play area are marked.

The display grid 400 of FIG. 4 includes three framing elements 401, 402,and 403. In various embodiments of the invention, several subportionscan be defined within a play area. The display grid of FIG. 4illustrates such an embodiment. For example, framing elements 401 and402 are used to define a shaded subportion boundary 406. Framing element402 is also used, with framing element 403, to define dashed subportionboundary 405. Framing element 401 and framing element 403 are used todefine solid subportion boundary 404. As illustrated in FIG. 4, invarious embodiments of the invention, subportions can overlap and onesubportion can also be contained entirely within another subportion.

In various embodiments of the invention, payouts can be issued forelements and element combinations within multiple subportions. Forexample, within the solid subportion boundary 404 are three adjacentstorm cloud symbols, orientated diagonally. Also, within the solidsubportion boundary 404 are three adjacent sun symbols, orientatedvertically. Three vertically adjacent sun symbols are also within dashedsubportion boundary 405. In various embodiments of the invention, awinning combination of elements contained within a subportion maytrigger a payout, and a winning combination of elements contained withintwo subportions may either trigger two payouts or trigger a singlepayout with a multiplier or otherwise provide some bonus.

In various embodiments of the invention, a game player may be presentedwith several different subportions formed from a number of framingelements located in an element grid and the game player may be allowedto choose amongst the subportions which subportion the game player wouldlike to evaluate for payouts. In such embodiments, a game player mightforgo a potential payout in one subportion in order to take advantage ofa potential payout in another subportion. In such embodiments, the gameplayer may be allowed to activate and/or deactivate framing elementsand/or subportions. Player selection of framing elements and/orsubportions and/or activation/deactivation of framing elements and/orsubportions improves player enjoyment because a player is provided withgreater control and allows the player to form and apply strategy to thegame.

FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of a gaming activity for portioning aplay area in accordance with the invention. The play area 500 of FIG. 5has been populated with a variety of different elements, includingframing elements 501, 502, 504 and 505. FIG. 5 demonstrates, among otherthings, that different types of framing elements can be used in a singleembodiment simultaneously. In the particular embodiment of FIG. 5, twodifferent types of framing elements are used, yet the two differenttypes of framing elements cannot be used together to form subportions.

Play area 500 of FIG. 5 includes two subportions. One subportion iswithin the solid subportion boundary 503 while the other subportion iswithin the dashed subportion boundary 506. The solid subportion boundary503 is defined by the relative locations of the framing elements 501 and502, each marked with a television symbol. The dashed subportionboundary 506 is defined by the relative locations of the framingelements 504 and 505, each marked with a cell phone symbol. Althoughsubportions are not formed for each combination of individual framingelements in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, subportions can beformed from combinations of different types of framing elements invarious embodiments of the invention. For example, in some embodimentsof the invention, framing elements 501 and 505 would define asubportion, with each of the framing elements 501 and 505 located withinthe subportion, each at an opposite of the subportion.

Payouts can be issued for all winning elements and combinations ofelements in the two different subportions of the play area 500 of FIG.5. For example, the subportion within solid subportion boundary 503includes a series of corresponding adjacent elements, the series formedby elements 507, 508, 509 and 510. Elements 507, 508, 509, 510 and 511correspond to one another because each is marked with a hot thermometersymbol. The subportion within the dashed subportion boundary 506includes a series of corresponding adjacent elements, the series formedby elements 508, 509, 510 and 511. According to the various embodimentsof the invention, a payout could be issued for either or both of theabove discussed series. Additionally, a payout could be issued for theseries of three corresponding adjacent elements 508, 509 and 510contained within both subportions of play area 500. A bonus ormultiplier may be applied for series within multiple subportions.

In some embodiments of the invention, a payout could be issued for theseries of elements 507, 508, 509, 510 and 511. In such embodiments, eachelement of a series does not need to be in the same subportion as all ofthe other elements of the series, but rather just needs to be in anydefined subportion of the play area.

FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of a gaming activity portioning a playarea in accordance with the invention. FIG. 6 includes an element array600. The elements of the element array 600 have all been marked. Framingelements in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, such as framingelements 601 and 602, are marked with box symbols, each box symbolincluding a directional arrow.

According to the embodiment of FIG. 6, the subportion of the elementarray 600 is defined by the framing elements 601 and 602 and thedirectional arrow for each framing element. The subportion of elementarray 600 consists of elements 603, 604, 605, 606, 607 and 608. Asillustrated, the framing elements 601 and 602 define a subportionconsisting of a section of an element row and a section of an elementcolumn of the element array 600, the section of the element row and thesection of the element column each adjacent to one of the framingelements and extending from the framing element to an edge of theelement array 600 in the direction of the directional arrow. In variousembodiments of the invention, the framing elements could themselves bewithin the subportion. In some embodiments of the invention, the elementarray 600 of FIG. 6 would include two subsections which overlap element606. However, in the particular embodiment of FIG. 6, the collection ofelements 603, 604, 605, 606, 607 and 608 is considered to be onesubsection.

Within the subsection of element array 600 of FIG. 6 is a series ofcorresponding adjacent elements comprised of elements 603, 604 and 605.A payout can be made for this series. Payouts can also be made accordingto scatter pay rules or any other known payout types.

FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of a gaming activity for portioning aplay area in accordance with the invention. FIG. 7 includes a play area700 comprised of marked elements. The play area 700 includes threeelements marked as framing elements 701, 702 and 703. Among the framingelements 701, 702 and 703, there are two different types of framingelements. Framing element 701 is one type of framing element. There areno other framing elements within the play area 700 of the same type asframing element 701, and as such, according to the particular embodimentof FIG. 7, framing element 701 is not used to define a subportion.

The play area 700 also includes framing elements 702 and 703. Framingelements 702 and 703 are both corner type framing elements, and sincethey are the same type of framing element, according to the particularembodiment of FIG. 7, they define the subportion within subportionboundary 706. Framing elements 702 and 703 are corner framing elementsbecause they are each marked with a television symbol in a corner ofeach respective element, such as corner television markings 704 and 705.

In some embodiments of the invention, all framing elements are markedwith corner framing elements, and the particular corner in which eachframing element is marked is inconsequential. However, in variousembodiments of the invention, the particular corner in which a framingelement is marked is determinative of how a subportion will be defined.

FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of a gaming activity for portioning aplay area in accordance with the invention. FIG. 8 includes a displaygrid 800 composed of elements, such as framing elements 801 and 802.Framing elements 801 and 802 are framing elements because each is markedwith a box symbol, which in the particular embodiment of FIG. 8signifies an element as a framing element. Framing elements 801 and 802define a subportion that is within solid subportion boundary 803.

Framing elements 801 and 802 are adjacent to one another. Becauseframing elements 801 and 802 are adjacent to one another, the subportiondefined by the framing elements 801 and 802 is relatively small,including only two marked elements aside from the framing elements 801and 802. Therefore, in some embodiments of the invention, it is to theplayer's advantage for framing elements to be far from each other.Moreover, if the particular embodiment of FIG. 8 defined a subportion asnot including the framing elements from which it is formed but ratheronly being adjacent to a corner of each framing element, then noelements would be contained within the subportion defined by framingelements 801 and 802.

The display grid 800 of FIG. 8 also includes corner framing elements 804and 805. Corner framing elements 804 and 805 are considered cornerframing elements in the particular embodiment of FIG. 8 because each ismarked with a cell phone in the corner of the element.

Corner framing elements 804 and 805 are of a different type of framingelement than framing elements 801 and 802. In some embodiments of theinventions, framing elements can be of different types because they aremarked with different symbols. In some embodiments of the invention,framing elements can be of different types because they are marked indifferent locations, such as one framing element being marked with alarge central symbol and another framing element being marked with asmall symbol in a corner of the framing element. In some embodiments ofthe inventions, corner framing elements can be of different typesbecause they are marked in different corners. However, in someembodiments of the invention, such as the embodiment illustrated in FIG.8, corner framing elements are not different types of framing elementsmerely because they are marked in different corners from one another. Asdiscussed herein, in various embodiments of the invention, somesubportions will only be formed from two framing elements that are ofthe same type and will not be formed by two framing elements that are ofdifferent types.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, a subportion is formed from corner framingelements 804 and 805, the subportion being within dashed subportionboundary 806. Corner framing elements 804 is located within thesubportion of dashed subportion boundary 806 while corner framingelement 805 is not. This is because the embodiment of FIG. 8 defines thesubportion using the corner location of the cell phone marking symbolfor each of the corner framing elements 804 and 805. In variousembodiments of the invention, such as the embodiment illustrated in FIG.8, a subportion that is formed by corner framing elements is definedsuch that two opposite corners of the subportion boundary are eachadjacent to the particular corner of the corner framing element in whichthe corner framing element is marked. Therefore, if corner framingelement 805 was marked in the lower right hand side with the cell phonesymbol rather then in the upper left hand side, than the subportionassociated with corner framing element 805 would be larger and wouldinclude elements 807 and 808. If corner framing element 805 was markedin the lower left hand side with the cell phone symbol rather than inthe upper left hand side, than the subportion associated with cornerframing element 805 would include element 807 but would not includeelement 808. If corner framing element 805 was marked in the upper righthand side with the cell phone symbol rather than in the upper left handside, than the subportion associated with corner framing element 805would include element 808 but would not include element 807. However,various embodiments of invention are not so limited and various othersubportion formation schemes are contemplated within the scope of theinvention and should be realized by one of ordinary skill in the artupon reading this disclosure.

FIG. 9 illustrates an embodiment of a gaming activity for portioning aplay area in accordance with the invention. FIG. 9 includes a play area900 composed of marked elements, such as elements 901 and 902. When theelements of the play area 900 were first marked, only two framingelements were marked, framing elements 901 and 902. Then, based on therelative positions of the framing elements 901 and 902, a subportion wasdefined, the subportion being outlined by subportion boundary 903. Allelements within the subportion boundary 903 were then marked withtelevision symbols, removing any previously held markings. In theembodiment of FIG. 9, payouts can be made in various ways, including ascatter pay method that issues a payout, the magnitude of the payoutbased on the total number of elements marked with television symbols.

FIG. 10 illustrates an embodiment of a gaming activity for portioning aplay area in accordance with the invention. FIG. 10 includes a displaygrid 1000 composed of marked elements, such as elements 1001 and 1002.Each marked element in this particular embodiment is a framing element.Most of the elements of the display grid 1000 are marked both with asymbol and with one or more framing lines. For example, element 1001 ismarked with a single vertical framing line and a hot thermometer symbol.Element 1003 is marked with a single horizontal framing line and a sunsymbol. Element 1004 is not marked with any framing lines but is markedwith a lightening symbol. Element 1005 is marked with a horizontalframing line and a vertical framing line and a partly sunny symbol.Element 1006 is marked with corner framing lines and a lighteningsymbol. Element 1008 is marked with corner framing lines and a sunsymbol.

The display grid 1000 includes a subportion within subportion boundary1007. The subportion is defined by the circuit connection of a number offraming lines of some of the framing elements of the display grid 1000.The framing lines that are part of the circuit are highlighted todistinguish them from framing lines that are not part of the circuit. Inthe particular embodiment illustrated in FIG. 10, a circuit is completewhen an area of the display grid 1000 is enclosed by a continuous seriesof adjacent framing elements such that the framing lines of eachadjacent framing element line up and a contiguous circuit is made by theframing lines which surrounds the area. In some embodiments of theinvention, only the elements which are within the area surrounded by thecircuit but that are not a part of the circuit are included in thesubportion. In some embodiments of the invention, the framing elementswhich form the circuit are part of the subportion, as well as allelements entirely surrounded by the circuit. A payout can be issued forelements and combinations of elements of the subportion, as discussedherein.

FIG. 11 illustrates an embodiment of a gaming activity for portioning aplay area in accordance with the invention. FIG. 11 includes a play area1100 that includes a number of marked hexagonal elements, such as markedelement 1101. Each element of the play area 1100 is marked with aframing box symbol, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, Jack, Queen, King, Aceor Joker marking. The elements marked with framing box symbols areframing elements, such as framing elements 1102, 1103 and 1104.

The play area 1100 includes a subportion defined by the framing elements1102, 1103 and 1104. The subportion is formed in part by subportionboundary lines 1105, 1106, and 1107. Between framing elements 1102 and1103 is subportion boundary line 1105. Between framing elements 1102 and1104 is subportion boundary line 1106. Between framing elements 1103 and1104 is subportion boundary line 1107. In the particular embodiment ofFIG. 11, an element is a part of the subportion if at least three of itscorners are within the area enclosed by the subportion boundary lines1105, 1106 and 1107. Those elements that are part of the subportion ofthe play area 1100 are shaded. The subportion can then be evaluated todetermine whether any elements of the subportion include elements orcombinations of elements that trigger payouts.

In some embodiments of the invention, if the play area 1100 of FIG. 11was populated with four framing elements then four or more subportionboundary lines could be used instead of three. One of ordinary skill inthe art will realize upon reading this disclosure how various otherconfigurations of subportion boundary lines and subportions can be made,depending on the number of framing elements. For example, in variousembodiments of the invention, a subportion could include all elementsthat are overlapped by a line drawn between two framing elements.

Various embodiments of the invention including marking elements suchthat the elements become null elements or otherwise presenting one ormore null elements. In various embodiments of the disclosure, nullelements contain symbols, or alternatively lack symbols, which preventthe elements from corresponding with other elements. For example, insome embodiments of the invention, null elements may not be used to formcombinations that trigger payouts. In some embodiments of the invention,null elements may not be used as framing elements. As one or ordinaryskill in the art will understand upon reading this disclosure, theaddition of null elements diminishes the chances of forming subportionsand winning combinations. The use of null elements can be used tocontrol the odds of a player winning and/or enhance the thrill of gameplay.

Various embodiments of the invention including marking elements suchthat the elements become wild elements or otherwise presenting one ormore wild elements. In some embodiments of the invention, wild elementsare capable of corresponding to any other elements, including aplurality of different markings simultaneously. In some embodiments ofthe invention, wild elements are capable of working with any framingelement or framing elements to define a subportion. An element couldbecome a wild element because it was marked as such, or the wild elementcould be located in the grid or array before other elements are locatedand/or marked. Wild elements could be randomly located or could belocated at planned positions.

As one or ordinary skill in the art will understand upon reading thisdisclosure, the addition of wild elements increases the chances offorming subportions and winning combinations. The use of wild elementscan be used to control the odds of a player winning and/or enhance thethrill of game play.

FIG. 12 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of a method for portioning agaming play area in accordance with the invention. The embodiment ofFIG. 12 includes presenting 1210 a display grid. Such a display grid canbe of any type discussed herein or otherwise known in the art. Theembodiment of FIG. 12 further includes marking 1220 at least someelements of the display grid, including marking at least two gridelements with framing symbols.

The embodiment of FIG. 12 further includes defining 1230 a subportion ofthe display grid framed by the at least two framing elements. Theembodiment of FIG. 12 further includes evaluating whether a subportionof the grid contains at least one grid element marked by a symbol thatis not a framing symbol, the subportion being defined by framing symbols1240. Such an evaluation can be done by a processor executinginstructions stored in memory and/or manually by a person.

As discussed herein, in various embodiments of the invention, if noelement of the subportion contains elements marked by symbols that arenot framing symbols, then no payout can be made. Accordingly, in suchembodiments, the particular game is concluded 1250. However, if thesubportion does contain at least one grid element marked by a symbolthat is not a framing symbol; then the flow diagram of FIG. 12 evaluateswhether any winning element combinations, according to a paytable, arelocated within the subportion 1260.

A pay table contains criteria for issuing payouts and information aboutthe payouts. Different elements and element combinations can be listedin a pay table, along with an associated payout amount. Pay tables canalso include information and criteria for evaluating and applyingbonuses, such as multipliers and additional plays.

According to the embodiment of FIG. 12, if there are no winning elementcombinations within the subportion according to a pay table, then thegame is ended 1250. However, if a winning element combination, accordingto a pay table, is located within the subportion then a payout is issuedfor this winning combination 1270. The payout may be issued according toan amount associated with the winning combination in the pay table. Themaking of the payout may be delayed by the user, by operation of thegame or by another game. For example, a bonus game may be played afterthe game embodied in the flow chart of FIG. 12 is completed, where thepayout is put at stake in another game.

The present invention is applicable to various gaming activities thatare played on a gaming board or gaming machine, including slot gamessuch as reel slots and video slots, and other games utilizing a stringof symbols to generate a game result. The present invention is describedin terms of slot machines to provide an understanding of the invention.While the invention is particularly advantageous in the context of slotmachines, and while a description in terms of slot machines facilitatesan understanding of the invention, the invention is also applicable toother gaming activities of chance utilizing symbol strings as will bereadily apparent to those of skill in the art from the descriptionprovided herein.

The present invention is primarily described herein as providingapportionment of a gaming play area. However, the invention is equallyapplicable in connection with secondary modes, such as bonus modes ofplay. As is known in the art, bonus events are used in gaming activitiessuch as slot games, which provides an alternative mode of play that isintended to attract and captivate players of such slot games. Generally,a bonus game or event on a slot machine is typically an additionalgaming reel or machine, or a random selection device, that is enabled bya bonus qualifying signal from an underlying or primary gaming activity.Generally, a predetermined prize-winning combination of symbols in anunderlying or primary slot game may result in the player being awardedone or more bonus games. Often the bonus event has a much higherprobability of winning, thereby instilling a great interest by playersin being awarded bonus events. There are various secondary or “bonus”events known in the art. Thus, while an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention is described in connection with a standard or primarymode of play, the present invention is equally applicable in secondaryor bonus modes of play.

FIG. 13 is an embodiment of a casino-style gaming device in which theprinciples of the present invention may be applied. The slot machine1300 is a structure including at least a computing system, a housing,and a display. The housing includes a base 1302 and a display device1304 to allow the slot machine 1300 to be a self-supported, independentstructure. The base 1302 includes structure supporting the slot machine1300, and also includes a user interface 1306 to allow the user tocontrol and engage in play of the slot machine 1300. The particular userinterface mechanisms associated with user interface 1306 is dependent onthe type of gaming machine. For example, the user interface 1306 mayinclude one or more buttons, switches, joysticks, levers, pull-downhandles, trackballs, voice-activated input, or any other user inputsystem or mechanism that allows the user to participate in theparticular gaming activity. The user input 1306 allows the user to entercoins or otherwise obtain credits through vouchers, tokens, creditcards, etc. Various mechanisms for entering such vouchers, tokens,credit cards, coins, point tickets, etc. are known in the art. Forexample, coin/token input mechanisms, card readers, credit card readers,smart card readers, punch card readers, and other mechanisms may be usedto enter wagers. The user input may include a plurality of buttons 1308,which allow the user to initiate the game play in accordance with theinvention, enter a number of credits to play, select options, cash out,automatically bet the maximum amount, etc. It should be recognized thata wide variety of other user interface options are available for use inconnection with the present invention, including pressing a button on agaming machine, touching a segment of a touch-screen, entering text,entering voice commands, or other known user entry methodology.

Returning now to FIG. 13, the display device 1304 includes a displayscreen 1310. The display device may take on a variety of forms dependingon what type of presentation is to be provided. For example, a slot gamearea 1320 is provided where the slot gaming activity in accordance withthe invention is displayed. The video display screen may be implementedin a variety of manners, including electronically represented withoutputs shown on conventional electronic displays, such as a liquidcrystal displays (LCD), dot matrix, plasma, CRT, LED,electro-luminescent display, or generally any type of video displayknown in the art.

Also associated with the display device 1304 is an optional winningguide area 1312, where information associated with the potential winningcombinations may be presented. This area may also provide an indicationof the requisite symbols, scatter pays, symbol lengths, symbolcombinations, symbol locations, etc. that result in payouts to theparticipant. This information may be part of the display screen 1310, oralternatively may be separate from the display screen 1310 and provideddirectly on a portion of the display device 1304 structure itself. Forexample, a backlit colored panel may be used as the winning guide area1312. Further, this information may be provided on an entirely separatedisplay screen (not shown).

The gaming machines described in connection with the present inventionmay be independent casino gaming machines, such as slot machines orother special purpose gaming kiosks, video games, or may be computingsystems operating under the direction of local gaming software and/orremotely provided software such as provided by an application serviceprovider (ASP). The casino gaming machines utilize computing systems tocontrol and manage the gaming activity. An example of a representativecomputing system capable of carrying out operations in accordance withthe invention is illustrated in FIG. 14.

Hardware, firmware, software or a combination thereof may be used toperform the various gaming functions, display presentations andoperations described herein. The functional modules used in connectionwith the invention may reside in a gaming machine as described, or mayalternatively reside on a stand-alone or networked computer. Thecomputing structure 1400 of FIG. 14 is an example computing structurethat can be used in connection with such electronic gaming machines,computers, or other computer-implemented devices to carry out operationsof the present invention.

The example computing arrangement 1400 suitable for performing thegaming activity for portioning a play area in accordance with thepresent invention typically includes a central processor (CPU) 1402coupled to random access memory (RAM) 1404 and some variation ofread-only memory (ROM) 1406. The ROM 1406 may also be other types ofstorage media to store programs, such as programmable ROM (PROM),erasable PROM (EPROM), etc. The processor 1402 may communicate withother internal and external components through input/output (I/O)circuitry 1408 and bussing 1410, to provide control signals,communication signals, and the like.

Chance-based gaming systems such as slot machines, in which the presentinvention is applicable, are governed by random numbers and processors.Electronic reels are used to display the result of the digital reelswhich are actually stored in computer memory and “spun” by a randomnumber generator (RNG). RNGs are well-known in the art, and may beimplemented using hardware, software operable in connection with theprocessor 1402, or some combination of hardware and software. Inaccordance with generally known technology in the field of slotmachines, the processor 1402 associated with the slot machine, underappropriate program instruction, can simulate the vertical rotation ofmultiple reels. Generally, the RNG continuously cycles through numbers,even when the machine is not being played. The slot machine selects, forexample, three random numbers. The numbers chosen at the moment the playis initiated are typically the numbers used to determine the finaloutcome, i.e., the outcome is settled the moment the reels are spun. Theresulting random numbers are generally divided by a fixed number. Thisfixed number is often thirty-two, but for slot machines with largeprogressive jackpots it may be even greater. After dividing, theremainders will be retained. For example, if the divisor was one-hundredtwenty-eight, the machine would have three remainders ranging from zeroto one-hundred twenty-seven. The remainders may be considered as stopson virtual reels. If the divisor was one-hundred twenty-eight, then thevirtual reels would each have one-hundred twenty-eight stops with eachstop being equally likely. Each stop on the virtual reel may be mappedto a stop on an actual reel or displayed reel image. These reel imagesmay then be displayed on the display 1420. The present invention isoperable using any known RNG, and may be integrally programmed as partof the processor 1402 operation, or alternatively may be a separate RNGcontroller 1440. RNGs are well known in the art, and any type of RNG maybe implemented for the standard mode of play and/or the bonus mode ofplay in accordance with the invention.

The computing arrangement 1400 may also include one or more data storagedevices, including hard and floppy disk drives 1412, CD-ROM drives 1414,and other hardware capable of reading and/or storing information such asDVD, etc. In one embodiment, software for carrying out the gamingoperations in accordance with the present invention may be stored anddistributed on a CD-ROM 1416, diskette 1418 or other form of mediacapable of portably storing information. These storage media may beinserted into, and read by, devices such as the CD-ROM drive 1414, thedisk drive 1412, etc. The software may also be transmitted to thecomputing arrangement 1400 via data signals, such as being downloadedelectronically via a network, such as the Internet. Further, aspreviously described, the software for carrying out the functionsassociated with the present invention may alternatively be stored ininternal memory/storage of the computing device 1400, such as in the ROM1406. The computing arrangement 1400 is coupled to the display 1420,which represents a display on which the gaming activities in accordancewith the invention are presented. The display 1420 merely represents the“presentation” of the video information in accordance with theinvention, and may be any type of known display or presentation screen,such as LCD displays, plasma display, cathode ray tubes (CRT), etc.Where the computing device 1400 represents a stand-alone or networkedcomputer, the display 1420 may represent a standard computer terminal ordisplay capable of displaying multiple windows, frames, etc. Where thecomputing device is embedded within an electronic gaming machine, suchas slot machine 1300 of FIG. 13, the display 1420 corresponds to thedisplay screen 1310 of FIG. 13. A user input interface 1422 such as amouse or keyboard may be provided where the computing device 1400 isassociated with a standard computer. An embodiment of a user inputinterface 1422 is illustrated in connection with an electronic gamingmachine 1300 of FIG. 13 as the various “buttons” 1308. Other user inputinterface devices include a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, a touchpad, a touch screen, voice-recognition system, etc.

In various embodiments of the invention, various aspects of the game, asdescribed herein, may be player controlled. For example, a play mayplace bets, select game types, select play area types, select displaygrid types, select themes, select symbols, select colors, select framingelements, and/or select subportions.

The computing arrangement 1400 may be connected to other computingdevices or gaming machines, such as via a network. The computingarrangement 1400 may be connected to a network server 1428 in anintranet or local network configuration. The computer may further bepart of a larger network configuration as in a global area network (GAN)such as the Internet. In such a case, the computer accesses one or moreweb servers 1430 via the Internet 1432.

Other components directed to slot machine implementations includemanners of gaming participant payment, and gaming machine payout. Forexample, a slot machine including the computing arrangement 1400 mayalso include a hopper controller 1442 to determine the amount of payoutto be provided to the participant. The hopper controller may beintegrally implemented with the processor 1402, or alternatively as aseparate hopper controller 1442. A hopper 1444 may also be provided inslot machine embodiments, where the hopper serves as the mechanismholding the coins/tokens of the machine. The wager input module 1446represents any mechanism for accepting coins, tokens, coupons, bills,credit cards, smart cards, membership cards, etc. for which aparticipant inputs a wager amount.

Using the foregoing specification, the invention may be implemented as amachine, process, or article of manufacture by using standardprogramming and/or engineering techniques to produce programmingsoftware, firmware, hardware or any combination thereof.

Any resulting program(s), having computer-readable program code, may beembodied within one or more computer-usable media such as memory devicesor transmitting devices, thereby making a computer program product orarticle of manufacture according to the invention. As such, the terms“article of manufacture” and “computer program product” as used hereinare intended to encompass a computer program existent (permanently,temporarily, or transitorily) on any computer-usable medium such as onany memory device or in any transmitting device.

One skilled in the art of computer science from the description providedherein will be able to combine the software created as described withappropriate general purpose or special purpose computer hardware tocreate a computer system and/or computer subcomponents embodying theinvention, and to create a computer system and/or computer subcomponentsfor carrying out methods of the invention.

The foregoing description of the exemplary embodiment of the inventionhas been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. Itis not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to theprecise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possiblein light of the above teaching. For example, the present invention isnot limited to what is traditionally known as “slot machines.” Also,while the illustrated embodiments have been described in large part inconnection with a “slot machine,” other gaming systems and concepts arealso within the scope of the invention, such as video poker games, cardgames, lotteries, and other casino events implementing a video screen.For example, a video poker game may utilize the present invention toprovide multiple cards at each standard card display segment. It is thusintended that the scope of the invention be limited not with thisdetailed description, but rather by the claims appended hereto.

1. A method of facilitating a game, comprising: marking a plurality ofelements of a grid, at least two of the elements being marked as framingelements; defining one or more subportions of the grid using the framingelements; and identifying winning combinations of marked elementslocated within the one or more subportions.
 2. The method of claim 1,wherein each subportion of the one or more subportions is defined as arectangle by a respective set of two framing elements of the at leasttwo framing elements, each set of two framing elements occupyingopposite corners within the rectangular subportion that each respectiveset of two framing elements defines.
 3. The method of claim 1, whereineach subportion of the one or more subportions is defined as a rectangleby a respective set of two framing elements of the at least two framingelement, each set of two framing elements adjacent to and opposingopposite corners of the rectangular subportion that each respective setdefines, each set of two framing elements outside of the subportion thatis defined by each respective set.
 4. The method of claim 1, whereineach respective element marked as a framing element is marked toindicate a corner of the element and each subportion of the one or moresubportions is defined as a rectangle by a respective set of two framingelements of the at least two framing elements, each indicated corner ofeach set of two framing elements adjacent to opposite corners of therectangle defined by each respective set of two framing elements.
 5. Themethod of claim 1, wherein multiple types of framing element markingsare used to mark the grid elements and each subportion is defined by twogrid elements each marked as a common type of framing element. 5.(canceled)
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising identifyingwinning combinations of marked elements located outside of the one ormore subportions, wherein the marked elements located inside of the oneor more subportions are identified according to different rules ascompared to the winning combinations of the elements outside of the oneor more subportions.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein marking theplurality of elements of the grid comprises randomly selecting at leastone marking type for each grid element from a plurality of markingtypes, the plurality of marking types including a framing marking typesignifying marked elements as framing elements.
 8. The method of claim1, further comprising at least one of marking and remarking elementslocated in the one or more subportions and identifying winningcombinations of marked elements located within the one or moresubportions
 9. A gaming apparatus hosting a gaming activity, the gamingapparatus comprising: a display device configured to present a gridhaving a plurality of elements; a random number generator configured torandomly select a marking for presentation for each of a plurality ofelements of the grid from a plurality of marking types, the plurality ofmarking types including a framing marking type; and a processorconfigured to identify one or more subportions of the grid andcombinations of element markings within the one or more subportions,wherein each subportion is defined by at least two elements each markedwith the framing marking type marking.
 10. The gaming apparatus of claim9, wherein each subportion of the one or more subportions is defined asa rectangle by a respective set of two elements marked with the framingmarking type marking, each set of two subportion defining elementsoccupying opposite corners within the rectangular subportion that eachrespective set of two subportion defining elements defines.
 11. Thegaming apparatus of claim 9, wherein each subportion of the one or moresubportions is defined as a rectangle by a respective set of twoelements marked with the framing marking type marking, each set of twosubportion defining elements adjacent to and opposite opposing cornersof the rectangular subportion that each respective set defines, each setof subportion defining elements outside of the subportion that the setdefines.
 12. The gaming apparatus of claim 9, wherein the random numbergenerator is further configured to randomly select a corner of eachrespective element selected by the random number generator for markingwith the framing marking type, each subportion of the one or moresubportions is defined as a rectangle by a respective set of twoelements marked with framing marking type markings, and each selectedcorner of each set of two subportion defining elements are adjacent toopposite corners of the rectangle defined by the set of two subportiondefining elements marked with the framing marking type markings.
 13. Thegaming apparatus of claim 9, wherein the plurality of marking typescomprises multiple different types of framing marking types and each ofthe one or more subportions is defined by two elements each marked witha common type of the multiple different types of framing marking types.14. The gaming apparatus of claim 9, wherein the plurality of markingtypes comprises multiple different types of framing marking types, theone or more subportions comprises multiple different types ofsubportions defined by common types of markings of the multipledifferent types of framing marking types, and each different type ofsubportion is associated with different payout rules.
 15. The gamingapparatus of claim 9, wherein the processor is further configured toidentifying winning combinations of marked elements located outside ofthe one or more subportions, the elements located inside of the one ormore subportions being identified according to different rules ascompared to the winning combinations of the elements located outside ofthe one or more subportions.
 16. The gaming apparatus of claim 9,wherein the random number generator is further configured to select asymbol type marking from the plurality of marking types for elementslocated within the identified one or more subportions.
 17. A method offacilitating a game, comprising: marking a plurality of elements of adisplay grid, each of the plurality of elements marked with a framingline marking; defining one or more subportions within the display grid,each of the one or more subportions being defined by a respectivecontinuous series of adjacent elements marked with framing line markingssuch that the framing line markings form a continuous circuit of alignedframing line markings around the subportion; and identifying winningcombinations of marked elements located within each of the one or moresubportions.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein marking the pluralityof elements of the display grid further comprises marking each of theplurality of elements with a symbol randomly selected from a pluralityof symbol types and identifying winning combinations of marked elementscomprises identifying combinations of corresponding symbols within theone or more subportions.
 19. The method of claim 17, further comprisingidentifying winning combinations of marked elements located outside ofthe one or more subportions, wherein identification of winningcombinations of marked elements within the one or more subportions isconducted according to different rules than identification of winningcombination of marked elements located outside of the one or moresubportions.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein winning combinations ofelements within the one or more subportions are identified according toscatter pay rules while winning combinations of elements outside of theone or more subportions are identified according to rules requiringadjacency of elements within winning combinations.
 21. A gamingapparatus hosting a gaming activity, the gaming apparatus comprising: adisplay device configured to present a grid having a plurality ofelements; a random number generator configured to randomly select aframing line marking for presentation for each of a plurality ofelements of the grid from a plurality of different framing line markingconfigurations; and a processor configured to identify one or moresubportions of the grid and winning combinations of element markingswithin the one or more subportions, wherein each subportion is definedby framing line markings of the plurality of elements forming acontinuous circuit of aligned framing line markings around thesubportion.
 22. The gaming apparatus of claim 21, wherein the randomnumber generator is further configured to randomly select a symbol foreach of the plurality of elements and the processor is configured toidentify winning combinations of element marking symbols within the oneor more subportions.
 23. The gaming apparatus of claim 21, wherein theprocessor is further configured to identify winning combinations ofelement markings located outside of the one or more subportions andidentification of winning combinations of element markings within theone or more subportions is conducted according to different rules thanidentification of winning combination of element markings locatedoutside of the one or more subportions.
 24. The gaming apparatus ofclaim 23, wherein winning combinations of element markings locatedwithin the one or more subportions are identified according to scatterpay rules and winning combinations of element markings located outsideof the one or more subportions are identified according to rulesrequiring adjacency of elements within winning combinations.
 25. Amethod of facilitating participation in a game, comprising: marking aplurality of elements of a display grid, including marking one or moreof the plurality of elements with a directional framing marking;defining one or more subportions within the display grid, each of theone or more subportions being defined by one or more elements of theplurality of elements that are marked with directional framing markings,each subportion extending from the respective element marked with thedirectional framing markings in a direction indicated by the directionalframing marking; and identifying winning combinations of marked elementslocated within each of the one or more subportions.
 26. The method ofclaim 25, wherein each of the one or more subportions extends from therespective element marked with the directional framing marking definingthe subportion to a boundary of the display grid.
 27. The method ofclaim 26, wherein marking the plurality of elements of the display gridfurther comprises marking at least some of the plurality of elementswith a randomly selected symbol and identifying winning combinations ofmarked elements located within each of the one or more subportionsfurther comprises identifying winning combinations of elements markedwith corresponding symbols.
 28. The method of claim 26, furthercomprising identifying winning combinations of marked elements locatedoutside of the one or more subportions, wherein identification ofwinning combinations of marked elements within the one or moresubportions is conducted according to different rules thanidentification of winning combination of marked elements located outsideof the one or more subportions.
 29. The method of claim 28, whereinwinning combinations of elements within the one or more subportions areidentified according to scatter pay rules while winning combinations ofelements outside of the one or more subportions are identified accordingto rules requiring adjacency of elements within winning combinations.30. A gaming apparatus hosting a gaming activity, the gaming apparatuscomprising: a display device configured to present a grid having aplurality of elements; a random number generator configured to randomlyselect a marking for presentation for each of a plurality of elements ofthe grid from a plurality of different marking types, the plurality ofdifferent marking types including directional framing marking types; anda processor configured to identify one or more subportions of the gridand winning combinations of element markings within the one or moresubportions, wherein each subportion is defined as extending from arespective element marked with the directional framing marking in adirection indicated by the directional framing marking.
 31. The gamingapparatus of claim 30, wherein each subportion extends from therespective element marked with the directional framing marking definingthe subportion to a boundary of the grid.
 32. The gaming apparatus ofclaim 30, wherein the plurality of different marking types includes aplurality of symbol marking types and the processor is configured toidentify winning combinations of corresponding symbol types selected forthe elements within the one or more subportions.
 33. The gamingapparatus of claim 30, wherein the processor is further configured toidentify winning combinations of element markings located outside of theone or more subportions and identification of winning combinations ofelement markings located within the one or more subportions is conductedaccording to different rules than identification of winning combinationsof element markings located outside of the one or more subportions. 34.The gaming apparatus of claim 33, wherein identification of winningcombinations of element markings located within the one or moresubportions is conducted according to scatter pay rules andidentification of winning combinations of element markings locatedoutside of the one or more subportions is conducted according to rulesrequiring adjacency of elements within winning combinations.
 35. Themethod of claim 1, wherein multiple types of framing element markingsare used to mark the grid elements and multiple types of subportions aredefined by respective sets of two grid elements marked with common typesof framing element markings.